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This story from friend of LECFamily Rev. Brian Johnson, pastor of Tomoka UMC in Ormond Beach, FL, embodies what intergenerational culture (not just ministry) is all about ...

On Sunday morning, my infant son Sam was not feeling good. It seems he caught the "funk" going around. My wife Melanie and three-year-old daughter Addison were ready for church, but Sam was still taking a much-needed nap.

Melanie told Addison Sam was not feeling well, and they might not make it to church in time, but Addison insisted she really wanted to go. I swung home before the 10:30 service started to pick up Addison. After all, who says, "no" when a kid says, "I want to go to church!"

Mel, Addison, and I talked about how it would work. She would sit up front, with me, or with some of the church members she was comfortable with. She chose to be with me. I thought, well, Tomoka has a stated vision of being an "intergenerational congregation of faith," so let's do this!

I pulled a chair from the choir loft, placing it next to my chair on the chancel area. She brought her "pack-pack" and water bottle and sat down. The choir welcomed her. I led the welcome and announcements, and we listened to Mr. Squirt read the opening scripture. He read the promise from Isaiah, "and a little child shall lead them..." I chuckled under my breath.

We watched a youth light the Advent candles. I whispered to Addison that tonight, we will light our second Advent candle at home. We sang, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" holding hands and she swayed back and forth ... like me. I tried to quietly cue her to what was happening in worship. She came down with me for the children's moment with the other kids.

Then, it was time for the sermon, I quietly asked if she wanted to sit with Ms. Joan or in the front pew. She wanted to stay "up top."

She did so well during the sermon. She wiggled a little, but no more than can be expected from a three-year-old. Then, about halfway through my sermon, she walks up next to me, and holds my hand. I smile, and continue preaching. She pulls my stole, and I can tell she has something important to say. I quickly hit the "mute" on my mic, lean down, and listen ... "I really have to go potty." I say, "Great! okay, Ms. Joan will take you." She scurries off and they exit the sanctuary.

I finish preaching, and Addison finishes the sermon, as well as the rest of the service happily sitting in the front pew. During Communion (one of her favorite parts every week), she is helped up front, stands/kneels at the railing, and I get to give her the bread and the cup. The body and blood of Christ ... for her.

It was not the morning I planned, but I would not trade it for anything. The opportunity to worship side-by-side with my daughter was a gift. Each Sunday I look forward to asking her what stood out to her that day, but this Sunday I experienced it with her, and she with me. I appreciate the church for understanding (I shared at the beginning that she was helping because her brother was sick, and she wanted to come to worship). As Addison and I greeted people on the way out, I deeply appreciate everyone who thanked or encouraged her for helping today. Instead of the message, "You are not welcome here, you are too young!" I believe she heard, "We are so glad you could help in worship today!"

Reflecting back, I think of the first Christian communities meeting mostly in homes. There had to be kids around during the scripture reciting, or climbing a leg during the message. I bet they danced when songs were sung. Church with kids means there are more distractions, and we as adults have to pay attention harder. But, we have to keep creating space for new people, including kids.

Welcoming kids, and youth, into worship is one way, especially this time of year, to welcome Jesus. By making a child feel comfortable and welcome in worship, and helping them to worship also, we create a welcome space for Jesus, who came to us a baby, and was, at one time, a three-year-old too.

"The wolf shall live with the lamb,the leopard shall lie down with the kid,the calf and the lion and the fatling together,and a little child shall lead them."Isaiah 11:6 CEB

If you've been hanging around me or LECFamily in the last couple of years, you won't be surprised to hear me advocate for an intergenerational church.

It might be because when it comes to mature discipleship and lifelong faith formation, all the research tells us that intergenerational worship and relationships are the most influential elements we can provide in a child's life.

It might be because we know that a 5:1 ratio of adults to kids is ideal to develop the faith and maturity we hope they might have as young adults and adults.

It might also be because I see, year after year, the powerful relationships that are built during our LECFamily camps and retreats, and then hear from parents and pastors how those relationships have transformed not only those families but also their churches.

Chances are, you might already be on board with the idea that intergenerational culture is the answer to the future of the church and the Christian faith. If so, you're like a lot of folks I talk to. And yet, I still get one question again and again ...

HOW?

This all sounds great, but how do we make it happen? What's the best curriculum? What if our worship is boring? What if we have grumpy people in our pews? What if the parents in our church are terrified of having their kids in the worship service with them?

So many of those questions can be answered, but the short answer is: It takes time.

Any culture shift is not going to happen overnight. Intergenerational culture is not a program or a curriculum - it's an entire change of the way we look at this thing we call church.

If you're wondering what the first steps are, check out two webinars I led for Discipleship Ministries:

This Good Friday, we don't have any interesting tidbits or articles to share. This Friday, we just hope that your #FamilyFavorite is your family. It's a tough story to tell kids - that Jesus died. And it's still an important part of the story of our faith. We pray that you walk with your kids, even see Good Friday through their eyes, and remember that the pain and sadness we feel on Good Friday is real, and something we should not ignore.

And this Holy Saturday, enjoy the time with family - the time hunting eggs or having a picnic at church, but remember how dark the first Holy Saturday must have felt. Remember how hopeless that darkness must have been. The Hope of the World had died. What now?

Why do I remind you - parent, children's minister, pastor - about all this darkness? Because without that darkness, Sunday is just another Sunday. This is the week we feel the fullness of our faith. Some people will try to say that faith and feelings should be separated, but I can't find anywhere in Jesus' story that that would make sense.

Jesus felt deeply, for people and for the world. We are called to feel deeply, for people and for the world. And in this Holy Week, especially these last couple of days, we are invited to feel. We are invited to feel as low as low can feel. We are reminded that sometimes, it feels hopeless. And yet, we experience the complete opposite on Sunday.

On Sunday, we sing Alleluia! for the first time in weeks. We share in joyous celebration, wearing bright colors, smelling fresh flowers, and coming together in community - the most joyous part of it all.

Why is this so important for you? Because our kids feel. They feel deeply and passionately. They don't always feel logically. They do always feel. And this weekend, we have the chance to feel with them, and to be reminded of the emotional calluses we have built up as adults.

And we have the chance to walk through a lot of emotions with them, to help them make sense of the feelings they will feel whether we share them or not. Let's share them. Let's do this thing together.

Whether you have children or not, whether you are a children's ministry volunteer or pastor or senior pastor, whether you are "just another person in the pew," you are part of a family. You are part of the family of Christ, and we are called to do this thing together.

Blessings and peace to you as you enter this time of feelings, sadness and celebration. May you be reminded of your Family relationships in all that you do.

Welcome back to LECFamily's #FamilyFavoriteFriday! Here's what we found to share with you around the web this week ...

For Parents ...

Looking for something more faith-focused for this year's Easter basket? Check out friend of LECFamily Jerusalem Greer's take on Building a Better Easter Basket.

It's not back to school time, but it is Spring Break season. Each time kids get some time away from the stress and struggle of the school environment, it's a great chance to revisit key reminders about how we live and learn together. Here's a great conversation you should have with your kids before you send them back to school this year.

For Ministry Leaders ...

How are you guiding children and families through Holy Week? Instead of just focusing on egg hunts and chocolate crosses, why not give them a journey they'll never forget? Check out this idea for Holy Week Passports.

If you need something for families to participate in together at church for your Holy Wednesday, Thursday or Friday event, why not try a modified Stations of the Cross designed just for children? It's a great way to connect families to an ancient tradition in a new and simple way.

If you're saying, "Uuuuhhh ... I haven't thought about it!" Then you're in the right place too!

And if you're saying, "I've been looking for something!" You are definitely in the right spot.

#pictureLent is a Lenten resource for individuals, families and churches, and this year's family activities are sure to be a special experience for you and your family.

This year's Family Lenten Calendar is called "A Light in the Desert" and will guide you daily through the season of Lent. You can also follow along with our photo challenge and take and share photos each day of Lent, inspired by the day's word and scripture.

Go to www.pictureLent.com to find out more, to sign up for daily devotions (these work great for families with older children and youth especially!), and to download your Family Lenten Activities packet.